Page 109 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest

“And what is that message?”

Eric and Murph stepped aside, revealing the computer monitor. They had enlarged the text for easy reading. Juan stepped closer to it, leaning on the desk.

The Baktun is a civilian oceanic research vessel operating as an advanced software and hardware research lab for an AGI-powered organoid computer known as Project Q. This secret project is funded by the billionaire cartel boss Amador Fierro and headed up by Dr.Anima Bose. Fierro plans on using AGI to seize control of the U.S. energy grid and to expand his criminal empire. Project Q is scheduled to launch at 11:00:00 three days from today.

Juan’s mind reeled with the horrifying possibilities.

“If Fierro seizes the energy grid, he could knock it down completely whenever he wanted to. That would disable ninety percent of the U.S. population within days.”

“It’s worse than that,” Stone said.

“How?”

“For starters,” Murphy began, “the Fierro organization will be able to completely secure their communications. That means no more signals intelligence, no more tapping phones or email or texts.”

“And if they maintain AGI supremacy,” Eric said, “they’ll soon disrupt, corrupt, or exploit all law enforcement surveillance programs, local and national intelligence, and personnel files, counterinsurgency ops—you name it. AGI will afford them nearly perfect offensive and defensive capabilities.”

Cabrillo stood erect. “It’s a world-class disaster. We can’t allow La Liga to acquire this technology.”

“Or anybody else,” Murph added. “Criminal, political, or military.”

“We’ve got to capture it for ourselves,” Eric added. “Think of the advantages that would give to our country. Our economy would dominate the planet. Our military would be invincible.”

“Did Eidolon’s file indicate theBaktun’s location?”

“No, sir. He said it was an oceanic research vessel,” Murph said.“That makes it a deepwater ship, which, come to think of it, makes a lot of sense. The ‘vasty deep’ is a pretty good place to hide from the rest of the world.”

“It said three days from now. When was that text recorded?”

“Yesterday. So two days from today.”

“That’s not much time to search the world’s oceans for an unidentified boat,” Eric said.

“But we know it’s Fierro’s boat,” Cabrillo said. “He’s not going to tell anybody where it is. But I’d bet credits to navy beans he’s heading out to it now. He’d want to be there when Project Q launches. And that explains why he wasn’t at his place in Colombia.” He turned to Eric. “You said he was there, right?”

“No question about it.”

“We must have spooked him when we showed up. He’ll need an airplane to get to his boat if he’s in a hurry.”

“Maybe he had one hidden somewhere close by,” theOregon’s helmsman said.

Murph nodded. “We could hack into regional air traffic control. Find any airplanes traveling from his location around that time last night.”

Eric shook his head. “That’s a lot of airspace to cover. And no telling what he’s flying.”

“He’ll need something with a lot of range,” Juan said. “Either he left Colombia with that kind of aircraft or he’s flying to a location where there is one.”

“Still doesn’t narrow things down,” Eric said.

Cabrillo headed for the door.

“I’m confident you two can handle it. I’ll notify Overholt, then brief Max and Linda.”

“We’re on it,” Murphy said.

“See you boys in an hour.”

“It might take longer than that,” Eric said.